What to Expect

What happens during treatment

Before the actual treatment begins, a lightweight frame will be fixed to your head. Imaging scans (such as computed tomography scan or magnetic resonance imaging) are then taken of your brain to show the abnormality. These images are put into a computerized system that enables the treatment team to pick the right dose and configuration of radiation.

After the treatment is mapped out, you’ll lie on a bed and gently slide into the unit. Treatment time depends on the condition being treated. It may take as little as 20 minutes or as long as a few hours.

After treatment is complete, the head frame is removed. You’ll be advised to take it easy for the next 12 to 24 hours; after that time, most people can resume normal activity. You may also be prescribed medication if you experience side effects of treatment, such as nausea.

Your physician will monitor the treatment’s progress over time with regular imaging tests—for example, to see whether a tumor has stopped growing or is shrinking.

For more information about The Gamma Knife Center at The Valley Hospital or to set up a consultation, call our nurse navigator at 201-634-5677 or complete the contact form.